Tag: Bundestag

As reported by Cicero Magazine, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer (“AKK”) succeeded Angela Merkel as chairman of the Christian Democratic Union, at the party conference, 7th December. The victory was narrow, and went to a second round run-off election between Kramp-Karrenbauer and Merz.

The final result was uncannily close to that of the Brexit referendum — Leave 51.89%, Remain, 48.11% — although in the opposite sense. AKK, the anointed of Angela Merkel, will be counted upon to provide transitional stability, allowing the Chancellor to remain more or less comfortably in her post until the 2021 Bundestag elections. The right-wing Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) will no doubt be welcoming the result. AKK, the Merkel-protégée, will be far less likely than Friedrich Merz, the Schäuble-protégé, to win back voters lost to the AfD in 2017 over the principal national issue: immigration policy. Add to that the piquant sauce served up by the narrowness of the Merkel-AKK win.

Eine deutsche LebenslügeCicero Magazin für Politische Kulture, 22nd November 2018. Friedrich Merz raised the question during his bid for the CDU party chairmanship at the third regional conference: whether or not the asylum law is sustainable in its current form. He can expect outraged reactions. But it was high time the topic was put on the table.

Greens MP and Vice-President of the Bundestag, Claudia Roth (left, in case there were any doubt), at the Berlin Christopher Street Day.

Politischer Kitsch (Political Kitsch) Cicero Magazin für Politische Kultur, 25th February 2017. Mass production and the mass-media raise kitsch to the level of æsthetic criterion for our society. Politics can’t escape it either. Its kitsch is moralistic. We must simply be in favour of peace and justice. It costs nothing, and makes us feel good. Continue reading “Kitsch as Aesthetic Criterion”→